Top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam
Hanoi
City Guide: Top things to do
Our list of the very best things to do in Hanoi! From where to find the best Bun Cha, snap that perfect photo or pick up those essential gifts- this is everything you need to know about Hanoi in one bite size chunk!
Food
Bún chả (Pork, noodles, broth). Classic Hanoi specialty, this charcoal BBQ pork is served in a delicious broth with rice noodles and greens on the side. Order the spring rolls for a treat! Go to Google Map for our favourite.
Bánh cuốn (fresh noodle crepe with meat). When they make the noodle in front of you , it’s going to be something special. Fresh noodle, meat (pork or chicken), shallots, herbs and a sweet fish sauce. Go here for our favourite place.
Bún riêu cua (tomato broth, noodles, crab). A delicious local delicacy and a favourite of ours! Enjoy in one of many street food stalls in Hanoi, or go to our favourite next to Mekong Quilts. Google Map Link.
Pho (noodle soup with beef). Two things tell you this is a good place. 1) there is a queue and 2) it’s packed full of locals. Check out this Vietnamese classic at Pho 10 in the Old Quarter. Google Map Link.
BBQ chicken street. About 10 vendors frantically wafting the fumes from the charcoal BBQ all down one street. Choose your chicken cut (thigh, leg, foot, other) and have with some bread. Wash down with a cold beer. Heaven. Google Map Link
Bún Bò Nam Bộ (beef noodle salad). Beef, marinated in fish sauce, is served over lettuce, noodles, bean sprouts, peanuts, fried shallots and herbs. Great lunch time dish, sitting on kid sized stools. Check out this place here.
Cà phê trứng (egg coffee). Cafe Pho is the coolest place in Hanoi to escape the roar of motorbikes in colonial surrounds. Check out the classic egg coffee. Think thick sweet custard floating over espresso. Find it here (through a shop)
KOTO. The original Know One Teach One vocational training restaurant, set up to offer marginalized youth an opportunity through vocational training programs. And the food is delicious. Google Map Link.
Culture
One Pillar Pagoda. One of the most iconic sights in Hanoi, this Buddhist temple can be found in Ba Dinh Square right by the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Google Map Link.
Hoa La Prison (Hanoi Hilton). This prison was used by French colonialists to house political prisoners, and then by the North Vietnamese to keep American POWs. Closed in the 1990s and reopened as a museum. Find it here.
Military History Museum. If the Vietnam/American War is your thing, this is the museum to see. Although, there’s so much more to it than the recent war. All presented from the communist perspective. Find it here.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. A traditional cultural experience. Shows nightly, lasting for one hour. Costs 100-200K. See website and Google Map Link.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. In this impressive architectural structure lies the remains of Ho Chi Minh, for those who want to pay their respects. Hanoi’s most popular attraction. Google Map Link. Open 7:30-10:30am. Closed Fri & Mon.
Hanoi Opera House. To truly capture the beauty of this building, try and catch a show. Located in the French Quarter, this incredible building was constructed from 1901. Find out about shows on the website. Google Map Link.
Shopping
Propaganda Posters. The best place to view and purchase old propaganda posters is from a shop called “Propaganda Posters”. Located in the Old Quarter. You can find it here.
The Old Quarter. Fantastic place to get completely lost whilst on an adventurous stroll. Not just for the older colonial style buildings, but also for the plethora of shops, selling everything from knock offs to boutique clothing.
Mekong Quilts. Support an NGO that supports holistic, local empowerment. We visit Mekong in Saigon. See the shop here. Extremely high quality, hand made product (including bamboo bikes). Google Map and website.
Dong Xuan market. Arguably the biggest market in Hanoi, there’s not much you can;t find here. Although it is predominantly aimed at locals in regards to fashion, food and homeware. Worth a walk through if you’re in the area. Find it here.
Avoid
Shoe Shine Bluff. Get your shoes shined after finally relenting to an offer, only to find out the price is double because the agreed price is for ONE shoe. The scene about to be made is enough for you to just pay and walk away to save embarrassment.
Fake taxis. This is the most common ‘scam’ in Hanoi. Being overcharged, inflated price once you arrive, meters that are rigged etc. Download ‘Grab’ on your phone before arrival. It’s like Uber, but you pay cash. Problem completely solved.
Dodgy massages. Story has it that it can be common for a young attractive girl to lure men in for a ‘massage’. Once he is in and paid, the girl disappears only to be replaced with a man. Awkward for all.
Money switch. With denominations into the thousands, it’s easy to get confused. Especially with the blue notes of 500,000 ($20) and 20,000 ($1). Pay with small bills to avoid this.